After having spoken in front of the European, French, German, British, Israeli or even American parliaments, Volodymyr Zelensky spoke this Thursday, March 31 before the Belgian deputies in the House of Representatives. The Ukrainian president’s videoconference intervention came more than a month after the start of the Russian invasion.
“Ukraine has been at war for eight years, it has been 36 days since Russia invaded our country. admired by many observers,” began Zelensky. “One of the cities with the greatest economic potential has been almost completely destroyed. Mariupol has been completely blocked for more than four weeks. There is nothing: no water, no food, no medicine . There is nothing essential for survival. Despite this, the city does not fall. The defenders of the city had the choice to leave it and make way for the invader. (… ) In most cases, the Russians do not let aid convoys to the city in. It is currently one of the most horrible places in Europe, it is hell on earth.”
The Ukrainian president regretted that no one had “the real motivation to help Mariupol and the rest of his country”. “What are the people who are defending Mariupol and Ukraine in general hoping for? They have the impression that the Europeans do not have enough courage to exclude the Russians from Ukrainian airspace. Ukraine are fighting for the security of all of Europe. We are fighting against the tyranny which wants to divide Europe, which wants to destroy those for whom freedom is very important. But there are those for whom Russian diamonds, which are sold in Antwerp, are more important, those for whom the income from Russian ships in their port is more important.”
The Head of State thus called on Belgium to step up its support. “We really need help in terms of armament, our soldiers are worthy of this help,” he said.
Another important point in the eyes of Mr. Zelensky: the guarantee of his country’s accession to the European Union. “If Mariupol falls, tyranny will come to take what you are proud of, we don’t wish that on you,” he warned. “In no way is this a threat, it is a simple statement of facts. I call on you to make us worthy of the daily exploits of Ukrainians.”
The Ukrainian president said he was extremely grateful for the assistance provided by Belgium. “You were one of the first countries to give us military aid,” he said. “You can become an example for others to do more to push back the Russians and bring back peace. Peace is more valuable than diamonds, than deals with Russia, than Russian ships, than Russian gas. Help us: armaments, sanctions, the possibility of becoming a member of the EU. We will give it back to you very quickly.”
Alexander De Croo immediately responded to the words of the Ukrainian head of state. “We heard your message and I understand your frustration,” he said. “You have pleaded for a closure of Ukrainian airspace to Russia. But that means shooting down Russian planes, it is a dangerous escalation that NATO does not want. Nevertheless, it is time to choose our side. We want to continue to support Ukraine by hitting Russia economically.”
The Belgian Prime Minister thus specified that the flat country would provide additional aid. “Belgium is at your side, you are part of the European people. We are one and the same European family. You share our values. Europe would be making a terrible mistake to wait for the EU accession process. Ukraine. We must give Ukraine the right to become fully European and to participate in programs like Erasmus. (…) Whatever President Putin’s plans, Ukraine will never be his. Know that the Belgians admire your courage and composure. We salute the bravery of the Ukrainian people.”
Relive above the intervention of the Ukrainian president in the House.